BrioDirect Review: Savings and CDs

BrioDirect is an online institution that offers competitive rates on its savings account and some CDs.
Ruth Sarreal
By Ruth Sarreal 

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BrioDirect
  • Savings
  • Certificates of deposit
  • Customer experience

Overall institution rating

3.5

NerdWallet rating 
The bottom line:

BrioDirect is an online brand of Webster Bank, an FDIC-insured bank based in Stamford, Conn. It offers competitive rates on its savings account and some CDs. However, its savings account has a steep minimum opening deposit requirement.

Best for: Those who want a strong savings rate, are willing to deposit large opening balances and who aren’t likely to need in-person services.

Pros

  • No monthly fees.
  • Competitive rates on savings and some CDs.
  • Extended phone customer service hours.

Cons

  • Low rates on some CDs.
  • High minimum opening deposits for savings.
  • No branch access.

Full review

Savings

BrioDirect High-Yield Savings
BrioDirect High-Yield Savings

Savings

Deposits are FDIC Insured

4.0

/5
 NerdWallet rating 
APY
5.35%
With $25 min. balance for APY

BrioDirect offers a high-yield savings account that earns a stellar annual percentage yield, or APY, and has no monthly fees. But you’ll need a minimum of $5,000 to open an account, and you’ll need to keep at least $25 in the account to earn the APY.

» Want to see more options? Check out NerdWallet’s best savings accounts

Certificates of deposit

BrioDirect High-Yield CD
BrioDirect High-Yield CD

CD

Deposits are FDIC Insured

3.0

/5
 NerdWallet rating 
1-year APY
5.35%
3-year APY
2.45%
5-year APY
0.45%
Minimum deposit
$500

BrioDirect has online CDs with various term lengths, including a 12-month CD with a promotional rate. You can use NerdWallet's current CD rates page to compare rates at other institutions.

The minimum amount to open a CD is $500; that’s similar to what some online banks require, though others don’t require any minimum deposit.

» Interested in the top options? Check out NerdWallet's list of the highest CD rates.

Customer experience

4.0

NerdWallet rating 

BrioDirect customer service is available by phone on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time, and on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern time. The online institution’s website design is straightforward, and information about fees and rates is relatively easy to find. You can use BrioDirect’s website or mobile apps to access your account and conduct banking tasks such as viewing account balances, transferring money and monitoring account activity.

Methodology

NerdWallet’s overall ratings for banks and credit unions are weighted averages of several categories: checking, savings, certificates of deposit or credit union share certificates, banking experience and overdraft fees. Factors we consider, depending on the category, include rates and fees, ATM and branch access, account features and limits, user-facing technology, customer service and innovation. The stars represent ratings from poor (one star) to excellent (five stars). Ratings are rounded to the nearest half-star.